5 Things MP David Wilks taught us about Canadian democracy

Conservative backbencher David Wilks was caught red-handed this week telling his Kootenay-Columbia constituents how Ottawa really works. The 12 minutes of amateur video taken during a frank and open discussion in Revelstoke, B.C. about the budget bill might mark the last time Canadians ever hear from Wilks — beyond the “yay” he has now promised to give C-38.

Let’s remember the Top 5 things Wilks taught Canadians about their democracy:

1) Stephen Harper gives his backbenchers less face time than his soon-to-be-published hockey book — he reportedly worked on that 15 minutes every day. When asked about the opportunity to raise his concerns with his party and the prime minister, Wilks explained: “We can do that at national caucus, which is every Wednesday from 9:30 until noon. We have about a 10 minute period in which we can speak to the prime minister.”

2) Being a backbencher? Kind of like being picked last in gym class. Or just not picked at all. When asked about the lead-up to the bill being tabled, Wilks said: “With regards to the 425 page document, you saw it at the same time as the backbenchers see it. The exact same time. We’re not privy to it at all, period … We receive it at 4 o’clock on March 29, the same time as it’s released to the press.” (NB: accredited members of the Press Gallery actually review the document at a lock-up in advance of it being tabled.)

3) How whipped is a whipped vote? Thoroughly. There are even levels to describe it. A free vote is known as a level one. A level two whipped vote means the cabinet’s preference is known, and alignment is strongly encouraged. A level three whipped vote is more severe, because the prime minister and the cabinet are behind it. “There is no argument … You will vote with the party. You will,” Wilks said.

4) This whole set-up creates some animosity, Wilks confirms. “It certainly concerns some of us backbenchers, that decisions are made predominately by cabinet. And then they come back to us, informing us how this is going to move forward. Some backbenchers, including myself, with meet with Flaherty or Oliver or Kent, or whoever it may be that you want to meet with. But at the end of the day, in my opinion, they’ve made up their mind.”

5) As he answers his constituents’ questions, Wilks repeatedly insisted that as a lone MP he doesn’t have much sway in the House of Commons. The real power to change the budget bill — beyond cabinet — is with Canadians. “One person is not going to make a difference — one MP, one MP is not going to make a difference … If Canadians want it changed, then enough Canadians have to stand up to their MPs and say ‘no.’ ”

On Wednesday, after his remarks became known, Wilks issued a statement on his official Member of Parliament website: “I wish to clarify my position with regard to Bill C-38, the Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act. I support this bill, and the jobs and growth measures that it will bring for Canadians in Kootenay-Columbia and right across the country … I look forward to supporting the bill and seeing it passed.”